Plunger assembly and plunger assembly housing

ABSTRACT

A toilet plunger assembly includes a plunger having a handle and a cup. The cup includes a continuous interface with the handle and the cup includes a suction-inducing face, wherein the cup is operatively coupled with a lower distal end of the handle at the interface by an over-molding process. A base and housing are provided, the housing having a first vertically extending side wall, a second vertically extending side wall adjacent and orthogonal to the first vertically extending side wall, an open third side, an open fourth side, and a top horizontal wall coupled with the first vertically extending side wall and the second vertically extending side wall. The first vertically extending side wall and the second vertically extending side wall are supported by the base when the housing is in a stored condition and the plunger is concealed with the housing are in their respective stored conditions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Applicant hereby claims the priority benefits under the provisions of 35U.S.C. § 119, basing said claim of priority on related U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 63/213,991 filed Jun. 23, 2021, which is incorporated inits entirety herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a toilet plunger assembly and a plungerassembly housing, and more particularly relates to a toilet plungerassembly having an injection molded handle without gaps and a housingfor the plunger assembly. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturingthe plunger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern toilet plungers typically comprise a plunger handle and a cupattached to a distal end of the plunger handle. The cup, typicallyformed separately from a molded elastomeric material, usually has alower portion formed as a concave configuration and may be attached atits upper end to the plunger handle, which is often fabricated fromwood. The cup may be designed to make a seal around a toilet drain,allowing the user to force water in the toilet up and down, by which thepressure is developed to dislodges a clog in the toilet. An undesirablefeature of such toilet plungers is that the interface between the cupand the plunger handle often results in a gap, seam, or crevice in whichwater and contaminants may be trapped, creating a potentially unsafecondition, particularly for pets and small children. Likewise, unlessprecautions are taken, a recently used toilet plunger may contaminatethe floor upon which it may be stored, particularly when stored openlyin a bathroom. In addition, modern toilet plungers tend to beunattractive, again particularly when stored openly in a bathroom. Animproved toilet plunger assembly and a plunger assembly housing isdesired to overcome these deficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to provide a plunger comprising aninjection molded handle having an upper proximal end and a lower distalend, wherein the lower distal end comprises an outwardly extendingflange disposed about an outer periphery of the lower distal end and acup having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion ofthe cup including an interface with the handle, the interface comprisinga recess and an outwardly extending groove at a base of the recess, andthe lower portion of the cup including a suction-inducing face. The cupis injection over-molded from an elastomeric material about the lowerdistal end of the handle, whereby the outwardly extending groove at thebase of the recess is formed by the outwardly extending flange disposedabout the lower distal end of the handle and the interface of the cupwith the handle is continuous.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a toilet plungerassembly comprising a plunger having an injection molded handle havingan upper proximal end and a lower distal end and a cup having an upperportion and a lower portion, the upper portion of the cup including aninterface with the handle and the lower portion of the cup including asuction-inducing face, wherein the cup is operatively coupled with thelower distal end of the handle at the interface. The assembly alsoincludes a base upon which the plunger is supported when in a storedcondition and a housing having a first side comprising a firstvertically extending side wall, a second side comprising a secondvertically extending side wall adjacent and orthogonal to the firstvertically extending side wall, an open third side, an open fourth side,and a top horizontal wall coupled with the first vertically extendingside wall and the second vertically extending side wall. A lower portionof each of the first vertically extending side wall and the secondvertically extending side wall are supported by or proximate with thebase when the housing is in a stored condition and wherein the plungeris concealed from view with the plunger and the housing are in theirrespective stored conditions.

A further aspect of the present invention is a method of manufacturing atoilet plunger comprising the steps of providing a first mold assemblyadapted to receive a prefabricated plunger handle, wherein the plungerhandle has an upper proximal end and a lower distal end and the lowerdistal end comprises an outwardly extending flange disposed about anouter periphery of the lower distal end, wherein a first exposed surfaceof the first mold assembly comprises a semi-spherical recess for formingan upper portion of a cup, and providing a second mold assembly, whereina second exposed surface of the second mold assembly comprises asemi-spherical protuberance for forming an lower portion of the cup. Theplunger handle is installed in the first mold assembly and the firstmold assembly is closed relative the second mold assembly, wherein thefirst exposed surface of the first mold assembly and the second exposedsurface of the second mold assembly cooperate to form a cavitycorresponding to a finished shape of the cup and the lower distal end ofthe plunger handle extends into the cavity. The cup is injectionover-molded by injecting an elastomeric material into the cavity andabout the lower distal end of the plunger handle to form the cup,wherein the cup further comprises: an interface between the upperportion of the cup and plunger handle, wherein the interface comprises arecess and an outwardly extending groove at a base of the recess, suchthat the outwardly extending groove at the base of the recess is formedby the outwardly extending flange disposed about the lower distal end ofthe plunger handle and the interface between the upper portion of thecup and the plunger handle is continuous; and a suction-inducing face onthe lower portion of the cup. The first mold assembly is separatedrelative the second mold assembly after the elastomeric material iscured and the toilet plunger is removed from the first mold assembly orthe second mold assembly.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet plunger assembly of the presentinvention in situ in a bathroom;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toilet plunger assembly of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 1 in situ in a bathroom, with thehousing removed;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a toilet plunger assembly ofthe present invention shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is another exploded perspective view of the toilet plungerassembly of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is an exterior perspective view of the toilet plunger assembly ofthe present invention shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the plunger of the toilet plunger assembly ofthe present invention shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the plunger of the toilet plungerassembly of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the toilet plunger assembly of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet plunger assembly of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the distal end of the plunger and theend cap of the toilet plunger assembly of the present invention shown inFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the molding apparatus for the plungerof the toilet plunger assembly of the present invention shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the molding apparatus for theplunger of the toilet plunger assembly of the present invention shown inFIG. 1 taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 11 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as orientated in FIG. 1 . However,it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

Reference number 10 in the Figures generally designates the toiletplunger assembly, which includes a plunger 12, a base 14 upon which theplunger 12 is supported by or proximate to when in a stored condition,and a housing 16. The plunger 12 may include an injection molded handle18 having an upper proximal end 20, a lower distal end 22, and a cup 24.The cup 24 has an upper portion 26 and a lower portion 28, the upperportion 26 of the cup 24 including an interface 30 with the handle 18and the lower portion 28 of the cup 24 including a suction-inducing face32.

The cup 24 is operatively coupled with the lower distal end 22 of thehandle 18 at the interface 30. That is, the lower distal end 22 of thehandle 18 may include an outwardly extending flange 34 disposed about anouter periphery 36 of the lower distal end 22 and the interface 30 ofthe cup 24 may include a recess 38 and an outwardly extending groove 40at a base 42 of the recess 38. As more fully described below, the cup 24is injection over-molded from an elastomeric material, such as rubber,about the lower distal end 22 of the handle 18, whereby the recess 38and the outwardly extending groove 40 at the base of the recess 38 isformed by the outwardly extending flange 34 disposed about the lowerdistal end 22 of the handle 18 and the interface 30 of the cup 24 withthe handle 18 is continuous.

The handle 18 may be formed through an injection molding process fromhigh strength plastic resin, such as filled polypropylene, as a solidcomponent, a composite component, or as a hollow form. A hollow form isshown in FIG. 10 . The handle 18 may be formed in any cross-sectionalconfiguration, such as circular, elliptical, square, or triangular. Asshown in the Figures, the handle 18 comprises a triangular cross sectionand includes an upwardly tapered portion 44 and a downwardly taperedportion 46 along a longitudinal length of the handle 18 for ease ingrasping and manipulation by a user. This configuration is lightweight,very strong, and easy to hold. A slip arrestor or knob 48, having anouter diameter or dimension greater than that of the longitudinal lengthof the handle 18, may also be added to the proximal end 20 of the handle18 for ease in grasping and manipulation by a user.

An impermeable solid surface 50 may be disposed orthogonal to thelongitudinal length of the handle 18 at the lower distal end 22 in orderto block the flow of the elastomeric material during the over-moldingprocess into an interior cavity 52 of the handle 18. In the case wherethe handle 18 is a solid component, the impermeable solid surface 50 maybe formed integrally with the lower distal end 22 itself. In the casewhere the handle 18 is hollow, the impermeable solid surface 50 may beformed by an impermeable end cap 54 disposed on the lower distal end 22of the handle 18 to block and prevent flow of the elastomeric materialinto the interior cavity 52 of the handle 18. As shown in FIGS. 10 and12 , the impermeable end cap 54 may be held in place when installedduring the over-molding process, discussed in more detail below, by aplurality of tabs 56 extending distally from the lower distal end 22 ofthe handle 18 and a corresponding plurality of openings 58 arrangedabout the perimeter 60 of the impermeable end cap 54 that each receiveone of the tabs 56. As shown in FIG. 10 , three such tabs 56 andopenings 58 are provided.

As noted above, the lower portion 28 of the cup 24 includes asuction-inducing face 32. As shown in FIG. 7 , the suction-inducing face32 of the lower portion 28 of the cup 24 may comprise a semicircularconcave surface 62. The suction-inducing face 32 of the lower portion 28of the cup 24 may further include a flexible flap 64 formed about anouter circumferential periphery 66 of the suction-inducing face 32. Theflexible flap 64 may form an opening 68 at a lower distal end 70 of theplunger 12, wherein the flexible flap 64 is adapted to fold out frominside the semicircular concave surface 62 of the cup 24.

Such a configuration is particularly adapted for use in toiletapplications. That is, an outer circumference 72 of the opening 68 issmall enough to fit into an entry of a plumbing system, such as a toilet74, so as to create a pocket of negative air pressure within the cup 24to dislodge a clog in the toilet 74, while an inner circumference 76 ofthe opening 68 may be sized to fit over a raised circular protuberance78 of the base 14, as further described below.

As more fully described below, the cup 24 is injection over-molded froman elastomeric material about the lower distal end 22 of the handle 18,which may be prefabricated, such as by injection molding, as notedabove. By virtue of such an over-molding process, the elastomericmaterial of the cup 24 is chemically bonded to the lower distal end 22of the handle 18, such that the outwardly extending groove 40 at thebase 42 of the recess 38 is chemically bonded to the outwardly extendingflange 34 disposed about the lower distal end 22 of the handle 18. Also,since the cup 24 is chemically bonded with the handle 18 about an upperopening 80 in the interface 30, the result is a continuous curvilineartransition between the outer surface 82 of the distal end 22 of thehandle 18 and the upper surface 84 of the upper portion 26 of the cup 24that promotes gravity-induced liquid flow from the handle 18 and the cup24. Such a continuous curvilinear transition substantially promotesgravity-induced movement and shedding of any and all contaminants ordebris that may remain on the plunger 12 after use. In particular, incontrast to prior plunger designs, manufactured gaps, seams, or creviceswithin which water and contaminants may be trapped and where water canpuddle, potentially hosting bacteria colonies, are avoided.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4 , radial ribs 86 may be added to the upper surface84 of the upper portion 26 of the cup 24, each of which extends radiallyfrom the interface 30 with the distal end 22 of the handle 18 to providerigidity to the upper portion 26 of the cup 24. The radial ribs 86 maybe molded with the cup 24.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 9 , the plunger 12 described above isparticularly adapted as part of the toilet plunger assembly 10, whichalso includes the base 14, upon which the plunger 12 is supported whenin a stored condition, and the housing 16.

The base 14 may be injection molded from high strength plastic resin,such as Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and provided with fourvertical base side walls 88, with a support platform 90 disposed at anelevation between an upper edge 92 and lower edge 94 of each of the baseside walls 88. The support platform 90 may thus be elevated relative afloor surface F, such that an air passage 96 is formed below the supportplatform 90 and a drip tray 98 is formed above the support platform 90.The drip tray 98 is defined by an upper portion 100 of the base sidewalls 88 and the raised circular protuberance 78. The raised circularprotuberance 78 may be adapted to correspond with and receive theopening 68 at the lower distal end 22 of the plunger 12.

The housing 16 may also be injection molded from high strength plasticresin, such as ABS. However, it is contemplated that the housing 16 maybe fabricated from other materials, such as metal, in order to provide avariety of aesthetics. The housing 16 has a first side defined by afirst vertically extending side wall 106, a second side defined by asecond vertically extending side wall 106 disposed adjacent andorthogonal to the first vertically extending side wall 104, and at leastone of an open third side 108 or an open fourth side 110, and a tophorizontal wall 112 coupled with and orthogonal to the first verticallyextending side wall 104 and the second vertically extending side wall106. As shown in the Figures, both the third side 108 and fourth side110 are open, allowing the toilet plunger assembly 10 to be stored in acorner of a bathroom. However, it is contemplated that only the thirdside 108 or the fourth side 110 is open, with a third verticallyextending side wall (not shown) on the other of the third side 108 orfourth side 110 and disposed adjacent and orthogonal to either the firstvertically extending side wall 104 or the second vertically extendingside wall 106. Such an arrangement of course would limit the storage ofthe toilet plunger assembly 10 to a wall in the bathroom.

A pair of ribs 114 may be disposed on an interior surface 116 of each ofthe first vertically extending side wall 104 and second verticallyextending side wall 106, such that each of the pair of ribs 114 extendupwardly onto an interior surface 118 of the top horizontal wall 112 toprovide additional structural rigidity to the housing 16. The pair ofribs 114 may be integrally molded with the housing 16. A lower portion120 of each of the first vertically extending side wall 104 and thesecond vertically extending side wall 106 are supported by the base 14or the floor F when the housing 16 is in a stored condition and whereinthe plunger 12 is concealed from view when the plunger 12 and thehousing 16 are in their respective stored conditions.

The lower edge 122 of at least one of the base side walls 88 and a loweredge 124 of at least one of the first vertically extending side wall 104or the second vertically extending side wall 106 may include an air vent126. As shown in FIGS. 1-4 , the top horizontal wall 112, the raisedcircular protuberance 78, the lower edge 122 of at least two adjacentbase side walls 88, and the lower edge 124 of each of the firstvertically extending side wall 104 and the second vertically extendingside wall 106 include the air vent 126. The air vent 126 through the tophorizontal wall 112 may be formed as a simple circular opening. The airvent 126 through the raised circular protuberance 78 may be formed as asimple circular opening or, as shown in FIG. 3 , a plurality ofparallel, longitudinally extending slots 128. The air vents 126 on thelower edge 122 of the adjacent base side walls 88 and the lower edge 124of each of the first vertically extending side wall 104 and the secondvertically extending side wall 106 may be formed as simple alignednotches at the lower edges 122, 124 of each.

Each of the first vertically extending side wall 104 and the secondvertically extending side wall 106 may include an inwardly anddownwardly extending flange 130 on the interior surface 116 thereof. Thebase 14 may further include an upwardly extending flange 132 proximate afirst side 134 and a second side 136 of the base 14 and proximate thefirst vertically extending side wall 104 and the second verticallyextending side wall 106, respectively, such that the upwardly extendingflange 132 extends into and is received within a gap G formed betweenthe inwardly and downwardly extending flange 130 and the interiorsurface 118 of each of the first vertically extending side wall 104 andthe second vertically extending side wall 106. This arrangementeffectively provides an interlock that improves the stability of thetoilet plunger assembly 10. To further improve stability and for ease ofmanufacture, each of the inwardly and downwardly extending flanges 130on the interior surface 118 of each of the first vertically extendingside wall 104 and the second vertically extending side wall 106 and eachof the upwardly extending flanges 132 proximate the first side 134 andsecond side 136 of the base 14 and proximate the first verticallyextending side wall 104 and the second vertically extending side wall106 each comprise a continuous band, as perhaps best shown in FIGS. 3and 4 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , each of the first vertically extending sidewall 104 and the second vertically extending side wall 106 may alsoinclude a relief notch 138 to provide clearance for a baseboard B of aninterior room of a building. The relief notch 138 may be formed by amechanically weakened boundary edge, such as a breakable perforation, amolded groove, or by scoring. The mechanically weakened boundary edgemay be disposed proximate a lower inward edge 140 of each of the firstvertically extending side wall 104 and the second vertically extendingside wall 104. In order to accommodate baseboards B of differentcross-sectional configurations, a plurality of mechanically weakenedboundary edges may be provided (not shown), such that the end user mayselect a profile for the relief notch 138 and remove only those portionsof the first vertically extending side wall 104 and/or the secondvertically extending side wall 106 by breaking, shearing, or snappingoff material to form the relief notch 138 that most closely match thebaseboard B of the interior room of the building, such as a bathroom.

As perhaps best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the toilet plunger assembly 10described above is particularly adapted for storage at a corner of thebathroom, which minimizes the space consumed by the toilet plungerassembly 10 and reduces clutter. When provided with the open third side108 and open fourth side 110, coupled with the relief notch 138described above, the toilet plunger assembly 10 may be placed in thecorner directly in contact with the walls of the bathroom, without anygaps or spaces between the walls of the bathroom and either of the firstvertically extending side wall 104 or the second vertically extendingside wall 106. This further assures that the plunger 12 is shielded fromcontact by pets or small children, preventing them from touching theplunger 12 and ingesting or spreading bacteria residing on the plunger12.

The first vertically extending side wall 104 and/or the secondvertically extending side wall 106 may be inclined toward the open thirdside 108 and open fourth side 110, respectively. Both first verticallyextending side wall 104 or second vertically extending side wall 106 maybe inclined toward the open third side 108 and open fourth side 110,respectively, each at an angle of at least 5 degrees relative a verticalplane. Such geometry tends to shift the center of gravity of the housing16 toward the corner at which the toilet plunger assembly 10 is storedand promotes stability.

The method of manufacturing the plunger 12 in accordance with thepresent disclosure is described by reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 . Afirst mold assembly 150 may be adapted to receive the injection moldedhandle 18, previously formed separately. As noted above, once installed,the lower distal end 22 of the handle 18 is left exposed, and includesthe outwardly extending flange 34 disposed about the outer periphery 36of the lower distal end 22. A first exposed surface 152 of the firstmold assembly 150 may also include a semi-spherical recess 154 forforming the upper portion 26 of the cup 24. If the handle 18 is hollow,the impermeable end cap 54 may be positioned on the lower distal end 22of the handle 18 to block and prevent flow of the elastomeric materialinto the interior cavity 52 of the handle 18 prior to the step ofclosing the first mold assembly 150 relative a second mold assembly 156.

The second mold assembly 156 includes a second exposed surface 158,which may include a semi-spherical protuberance 160 for forming thelower portion 28 of the cup 24 and the suction-inducing face 32. Thesecond mold assembly 156 may also include a void 162 about thesemi-spherical protuberance 160 by which the flexible flap 64 may beformed.

The first mold assembly 150 is then closed relative the second moldassembly 156. The first exposed surface 152 of the first mold assembly150 and the second exposed surface 158 of the second mold assembly 156cooperate to form a cavity 164 corresponding to the finished shape ofthe cup 24. As shown in FIG. 12 , the lower distal end 22 of the handle18 extends into the cavity 164.

The cup 24 is then formed relative the handle 18 by injectionover-molding an elastomeric material, such as rubber, into the cavity164 and about the lower distal end 22 of the handle 18 to form the cup24, which includes the interface 30 between the upper portion 26 of thecup 24 and the handle 18, wherein the interface 30 comprises the recess38 and an outwardly extending groove 40 at a base 42 of the recess 38.The outwardly extending groove 40 at the base 42 of the recess 38 isformed by the outwardly extending flange 34 disposed about the lowerdistal end 22 of the handle 18, such that the interface 30 between thehandle 18 and the cup 24 is continuous. The suction-inducing face 32 onthe lower portion 28 of the cup 24 and the flexible flap 64 are alsoformed.

Once the elastomeric material of the cup 24 is cured, the first moldassembly 150 and the second mold assembly 156 are separated relative oneanother, and the finished plunger 12 may be removed from the first moldassembly 150 or the second mold assembly 156. By virtue of theover-molding process, the elastomeric material of the cup 24 ischemically bonded to the lower distal end 22 of the handle 18.

In operation, the toilet plunger assembly 10 is simple to use. The usersets the toilet plunger assembly 10 next to the toilet. When a clog isencountered, the user may merely lift the housing 16 and set it on thefloor out of the way, thereby exposing the plunger 12. If desired, theuser may manipulate the housing 16 via the air vent 126 in thehorizontal top wall of the housing 16, for example, by inserting afinger therein and lifting. The user may then use the plunger 12 toclear the clog in the toilet 74. When the clog is removed, the user needmerely shake the excess water into the toilet 74 and rinse off theplunger 12. Due to the lack of any gap, seam, or crevice between thehandle 18 and the cup 24, virtually all debris that may be carried bythe plunger 12 is easily and readily rinsed away.

The user then may simply return the plunger 12 to the base 14 for dryingand storage. Due to the support platform 90 having the raised circularprotuberance 78 corresponding with and adapted to receive the opening 68at the lower distal end 70 of the plunger 12, the base 14 thuseffectively and properly locates the plunger 12 on the base 14, whilepreventing water from running onto the floor. The housing 16 may then bereplaced back over the plunger 12 and the base 14, ready for the nextuse. The air vents 126 provide air circulation and thereby function todry the plunger 12 and the drip tray 98 of the base 14.

The toilet plunger assembly 10 of the present disclosure thus presentsseveral advantages and benefits. Prior art plungers include gaps, seams,or crevices which retain standing water and contaminants between thehandle 18 and the cup 24. The toilet plunger assembly 10 disclosedherein provides a continuous interface 30 between the handle 18 and thecup 24 that effectively eliminates any such standing water orcontaminants.

Prior art toilet plungers often leave puddles on the floor after use orrequire an unsightly pan or dish be provided upon which plunger can bestored. The toilet plunger assembly 10 disclosed herein provides aconvenient drip tray 98 on the base 14 for dripping water after use.

Prior art plungers also leave portions of the handles and cup of theplunger exposed to touch. The toilet plunger assembly 10 described aboveshields the plunger 12 from contact by pets or small children,preventing them from touching the plunger 12 and ingesting or spreadingbacteria that might reside outside of the plunger 12. That is, thehousing 16 completely shields the plunger 12 from sight and touch.

The disclosed toilet plunger assembly 10 also provides a relativelyattractive alternative to prior art toilet plungers. The disclosedtoilet plunger assembly 10 includes a custom designed plunger 12 whichis stored on a specially adapted base 14 with a corresponding housing 16that provides a fitted contact with corner walls adjacent to the toilet74. The disclosed toilet plunger assembly 10 can be molded in differentcolors of plastic resin to match a variety of bathroom decors.Alternatively, the disclosed toilet plunger assembly 10 can bedecorated, such as by painting the housing 16 or covering the housing 16in wallpaper or contact paper, to match virtually any bathroom décor.

Since the entire toilet plunger assembly 10, except the cup 24, may befabricated from molded high strength plastic, each of its componentswill withstand impact and provide a long useful life.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the present disclosure and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” or “operablycoupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.)generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical)directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary innature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the twocomponents (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediatemembers being integrally formed as a single unitary body with oneanother or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent innature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwisestated.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “connected” or “operablyconnected” (in all of its forms, connect, connecting, connected, etc.)generally means that one component functions with respect to anothercomponent, even if there are other components located between the firstand second component, and the term “operable” defines a functionalrelationship between components.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the present disclosure as shown in the exemplaryembodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of thepresent innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure,those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readilyappreciate that, unless otherwise described, many modifications arepossible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes andproportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mountingarrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of thesubject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formedmay be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple partsmay be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may bereversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structuresand/or members or connector or other elements of the system may bevaried, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided betweenthe elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/orassemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide varietyof materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of awide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, allsuch modifications are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, andomissions may be made in the design, operating positions, andarrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present invention, and further it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims unless these claims by their language expressly stateotherwise.

I claim:
 1. A plunger comprising: a handle having an upper proximal endand a lower distal end, wherein the lower distal end comprises anoutwardly extending flange disposed about an outer periphery of thelower distal end; and a cup having an upper portion and a lower portion,the upper portion of the cup including an interface with the handle, theinterface comprising a recess and an outwardly extending groove at abase of the recess, and the lower portion of the cup including asuction-inducing face; wherein the cup is injection over-molded from anelastomeric material about the lower distal end of the handle; andwherein the recess and the outwardly extending groove at the base of therecess are formed by the outwardly extending flange disposed about thelower distal end of the handle and the interface of the cup with thehandle is continuous.
 2. The plunger according to claim 1, wherein theelastomeric material is rubber.
 3. The plunger according to claim 1,wherein the elastomeric material of the cup is chemically bonded to thelower distal end of the handle.
 4. The plunger according to claim 1,wherein the handle further comprises an impermeable solid surfacedisposed on the lower distal end.
 5. The plunger according to claim 4,wherein the handle is hollow and the impermeable solid surface comprisesan end cap disposed on the lower distal end of the handle to block andprevent flow of the elastomeric material into an interior cavity of thehandle.
 6. The plunger according to claim 1, wherein thesuction-inducing face of the lower portion of the cup comprises asemicircular concave surface.
 7. The plunger according to claim 6,wherein the suction-inducing face of the lower portion of the cupfurther comprises a flexible flap formed about an outer circumferentialperiphery of the suction-inducing face and wherein the flexible flapincludes an opening at a lower distal end of the plunger.
 8. The plungeraccording to claim 7, wherein the flexible flap is adapted to fold outfrom inside semicircular concave surface of the cup.
 9. The toiletplunger according to claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a triangularcross section and a tapered portion along a longitudinal length of thehandle.
 10. The toilet plunger according to claim 1, wherein the handleis injection molded from a plastic resin.
 11. A toilet plunger assemblycomprising: a plunger having a handle having an upper proximal end and alower distal end and a cup having an upper portion and a lower portion,the upper portion of the cup including an interface with the handle andthe lower portion of the cup including a suction-inducing face, whereinthe cup is operatively coupled with the lower distal end of the handleat the interface; a base upon which the plunger is supported when in astored condition; and a housing having a first side defined by a firstvertically extending side wall, a second side defined by a secondvertically extending side wall adjacent and orthogonal to the firstvertically extending side wall, and at least one of an open third sideor an open fourth side, and a top horizontal wall coupled with the firstvertically extending side wall and the second vertically extending sidewall; wherein a lower portion of each of the first vertically extendingside wall and the second vertically extending side wall are supported byor proximate to the base when the housing is in a stored condition; andwherein the plunger is concealed from view with the plunger and thehousing are in their respective stored conditions.
 12. The toiletplunger according to claim 11, wherein the handle and base are injectionmolded from a plastic resin.
 13. The toilet plunger according to claim12, wherein the housing is injection molded from a plastic resin. 14.The toilet plunger assembly of claim 11, wherein the lower distal end ofthe handle comprises an outwardly extending flange disposed about anouter periphery of the lower distal end and the interface comprises arecess and an outwardly extending groove at a base of the recess;wherein the cup is injection over-molded from an elastomeric materialabout the lower distal end of the handle, whereby the recess and theoutwardly extending groove at the base of the recess is formed by theoutwardly extending flange disposed about the lower distal end of thehandle and the interface of the cup with the handle is continuous. 15.The toilet plunger assembly of claim 11, wherein: the suction-inducingface of the lower portion of the cup further comprises a flexible flapformed about an outer circumferential periphery of the suction-inducingface and wherein the flexible flap includes an opening at a lower distalend of the plunger; and the base comprises a support platform elevatedrelative a floor surface, wherein the support platform includes a raisedcircular protuberance corresponding with and adapted to receive theopening at the lower distal end of the plunger.
 16. The toilet plungerassembly of claim 15, wherein the base comprises four vertical base sidewalls and the support platform is disposed at an elevation between anupper edge and a lower edge of each of the base side walls such that anair passage is formed below the support platform and drip tray is formedabove the support platform and defined by an upper portion of the baseside walls and the raised circular protuberance.
 17. The toilet plungerassembly of claim 16, wherein the lower edge of at least one of the baseside walls and a lower edge of at least one of the first verticallyextending side wall or the second vertically extending side wall includean air vent.
 18. The toilet plunger assembly of claim 17, wherein thetop horizontal wall, the raised circular protuberance, the lower edge ofat least two adjacent base side walls, and the lower edge of each of thefirst vertically extending side wall and the second vertically extendingside wall include an air vent.
 19. The toilet plunger assembly of claim11, wherein each of the first vertically extending side wall and thesecond vertically extending side wall comprise an inwardly anddownwardly extending flange on an interior surface thereof and the basecomprises an upwardly extending flange proximate a first side and asecond side of the base and proximate the first vertically extendingside wall and the second vertically extending side wall, wherein theupwardly extending flange extends into and is received within a gapformed between inwardly and downwardly extending flange and the interiorsurface of each of the first vertically extending side wall and thesecond vertically extending side wall.
 20. The toilet plunger assemblyof claim 19, wherein each of the inwardly and downwardly extendingflange on the interior surface of each of the first vertically extendingside wall and the second vertically extending side wall and each of theupwardly extending flange proximate the first side and second side ofthe base and proximate the first vertically extending side wall and thesecond vertically extending side wall each comprise a continuous band.21. The toilet plunger assembly of claim 11, wherein at least one of thefirst vertically extending side wall and the second vertically extendingside wall comprise a relief notch at a lower inward edge thereof toprovide clearance for a baseboard of an interior room of a building. 22.The toilet plunger assembly of claim 21, wherein the relief notch isformed by a mechanically weakened boundary edge proximate the lowerinward edge of each of the first vertically extending side wall and thesecond vertically extending side wall.
 23. The toilet plunger assemblyof claim 11, wherein the first vertically extending side wall or secondvertically extending side wall are inclined toward the open third sideand open fourth side, respectively.
 24. The toilet plunger assembly ofclaim 23, wherein the first vertically extending side wall or secondvertically extending side wall are inclined toward the open third sideand open fourth side, respectively, at an angle of at least 5 degrees.25. The toilet plunger assembly of claim 23, wherein both the third sideand the fourth side are open.
 26. A method of manufacturing a toiletplunger comprising the steps of: providing a first mold assembly adaptedto receive a prefabricated plunger handle, wherein the plunger handlehas an upper proximal end and a lower distal end and the lower distalend comprises an outwardly extending flange disposed about an outerperiphery of the lower distal end, wherein a first exposed surface ofthe first mold assembly comprises a semi-spherical recess for forming anupper portion of a cup; providing a second mold assembly, wherein asecond exposed surface of the second mold assembly comprises asemi-spherical protuberance for forming an lower portion of the cup;installing the plunger handle in the first mold assembly; closing thefirst mold assembly relative the second mold assembly, wherein the firstexposed surface of the first mold assembly and the second exposedsurface of the second mold assembly cooperate to form a cavitycorresponding to a finished shape of the cup and the lower distal end ofthe plunger handle extends into the cavity; injection over-molding thecup by injecting an elastomeric material into the cavity and about thelower distal end of the plunger handle to form the cup, wherein the cupfurther comprises: an interface between the upper portion of the cup andplunger handle, wherein the interface comprises a recess and anoutwardly extending groove at a base of the recess, such that theoutwardly extending groove at the base of the recess is formed by theoutwardly extending flange disposed about the lower distal end of thehandle and the interface between the upper portion of the cup and theplunger handle is continuous; and a suction-inducing face on the lowerportion of the cup; separating the first mold assembly relative thesecond mold assembly after the elastomeric material is cured; andremoving the toilet plunger from the first mold assembly or the secondmold assembly.
 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the stepof positioning an impermeable end cap on the lower distal end of theplunger handle to block and prevent flow of the elastomeric materialinto an interior cavity of the plunger handle prior to the step ofclosing the first mold assembly relative the second mold assembly. 28.The method of claim 26, wherein the elastomeric material of the cup ischemically bonded to the lower distal end of the plunger handle.